Downtown Guelph receives provincial funding

The City of Guelph is getting $139,960 from the provincial government to help spruce up the downtown core.

Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph, made the announcement at City Hall Thursday morning and said the money can go towards installing pedestrian crosswalks, landscaping or it can also be directed towards businesses to help improve their facades and signs.

“Investments that support small businesses and main streets will help communities be better positioned to attract investment, create jobs and grow their local economies,” Sandals said.

City council still needs to figure out what to do with the money, but the executive director of the Downtown Guelph Business Association said he has a few ideas.

“They should seriously consider using some of that money for facade improvements if people come to them with a project in mind,” said Marty Williams.

He said the Gummer, Petrie and Ackers buildings along with the Western Hotel in downtown Guelph have all had major upgrades in the last few years and have changed the look of the downtown core.

“There’s some places that could use some help and some sprucing up, but generally speaking, if you walk around downtown Guelph you see beautiful buildings that are well kept,” Williams added.

Williams also added that he’d like to see improvements around the plaza at Paisley and Norfolk streets.

“There’s a pedestrian access right on that corner there that is treacherous,” he said. “It is not up to accessibility standards and in the wintertime, it’s surprising that more people haven’t slipped and fallen.”

Williams said he hopes to share his thoughts with staff and city council.